Tigers' Ausmus: Avila, Lennerton, Westlake to get reps at 1B in spring

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2/5/15) With DH Victor Martinez (knee) now joining first baseman Miguel Cabrera (foot) on the injury list, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Thursday catcher Alex Avila will likely get some work at first base during spring training, per MLB.com.

Avila made his first and only appearance in an MLB game at first base in 2014. Lennerton has played in 730 games at first base in the minors, while Westlake has played 329 games at first in the minors.

Jordan Lennerton removed from 40-man roster

by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(5/5/14) The Tigers outrighted first baseman Jordan Lennerton to Triple-A Toledo, taking him off the 40-man roster. He's hitting .165 in 91 at-bats for Toledo.

Justin Miller among handful of Tigers sent down

by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(3/14/14) One-time premier pitching prospect Justin Miller is among five players dispatched to the minors by the Tigers on Friday. He is headed to Triple-A Toledo along with first baseman Jordan Lennerton and center fielder Daniel Fields. Third baseman Francisco Martinez has been assigned to Double-A Erie while second baseman Devon Travis was sent to minor league camp.

Miller was 9-1 with a 1.83 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 69 innings at the Double-A level in 2011 before Tommy John surgery halted his progress.

Lennerton hit .278/.382/.430 with 17 home runs and 57 RBI in 514 at-bats with Triple-A Toledo. Suarez hit .264/.347/.396 with 10 home runs, 57 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 545 at-bats between high Class A Lakeland and Double-A Erie.

Fields hit .284/.356/.435 with 10 home runs, 58 RBI and 24 stolen bases in 457 at-bats with Double-A Erie. Moya hit .255/.296/.433 with 12 home runs and 55 RBI in 365 at-bats with high Class A Lakeland.

Lobstein went 13-7 with a 3.27 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 148:52 K:BB ratio in 167 2/3 innings over 28 starts between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo. Valdez went 2-2 with a 2.74 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 67:34 K:BB ratio and 33 saves in 49 1/3 innings between Class A West Michigan and high Class-A Lakeland.

Miller was signed in September and has missed most of the last two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2012.